Air Force pulls sexual assault prevention brochure

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WASHINGTON — The Air Force has pulled a brochure circulated at a South Carolina base after a lawmaker complained about some objectionable advice to sexual assault victims — such as submitting to an attack rather than resisting.

Representative Louise Slaughter, a New York Democrat who had complained about the brochure in May, on Tuesday released a copy of a letter she received from the Pentagon informing her of the Air Force’s decision and steps the services are taking to deal with the epidemic of sexual assault in the ranks.

The brochure contained some common-sense recommendations, such as checking around a car before entering and using dead-bolt locks and peepholes when home alone. It also included advice that the congresswoman described as victim-blaming and inappropriate as the military struggles with the problem of sexual assault.

‘‘If you are attacked, it may be advisable to submit than to resist,’’ the brochure said. ‘‘You have to make this decision based on circumstances. Be especially careful if the attacker has a weapon.’’

‘‘No service member wearing the uniform of the United States military should ever be told ‘it may be advisable to submit than to resist’ in the case of a sexual assault,’’ Slaughter said. ‘‘We have to change the military culture if we want to stop this epidemic of sexual assault.”